Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Why Manny Shouldn't Overlook Marquez Saturday

Pound-for-pound superstar Manny Pacquiao will be fighting Saturday, but he won’t be the engaging fighter everyone wants him to be.

For Manny’s sake, let’s hope he’s not looking ahead.

Juan Manuel Marquez and Pacquiao have tangled twice before, with the results leaving both fighters a bit unsatisfied.

Pacquiao still holds the edge in all the tangibles.

And he has gotten better since the two last faced each other in an absolute war in 2008, the last time Manny was truly tested in the ring.

Pacquiao, reluctantly nicknamed "The Mexicutioner" for his knockouts of Mexican fighters like Marquez and Erik Morales, will look to put to rest any notion the 37-year-old Marquez was robbed in the 2008 split decision.

Marquez may not be as fast, powerful or young as Pacquiao (32), but he will not be outsmarted in the ring.

Other fighters have wilted under the barrage Pacquiao brings to the table.

One thing is for certain—Marquez comes to fight and will have a game plan in place. Furthermore, Marquez feels he has something to prove and will try to do just that on Saturday at the MGM.

While negotiations for a Floyd Mayweather-Pacquiao fight are nowhere even near the back burner, the possibility of a split $100 million payday has to be in the back of Manny’s mind.

That’s generation-altering money.

I’m not saying the champ is distracted, but one could easily understand if he is.

Marquez will enter the fight as a significant underdog without any added distraction. Unlike many recent opponents, Marquez is very familiar with Manny and we know he can take a punch as well as deliver one.

If Manny is looking too far ahead, he may find himself looking up—from his back.